Alaska Cruises: Cruise to Alaska
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Nicknamed “The Love Boat,” Princess Cruises has been sailing to Alaska for more than 50 years, and is a terrific choice for couples looking to get away from it all. While onboard, Princess immerses its guests into the sites, sounds, tastes and history of the 49th state through its award-winning North to Alaska programming. Life onboard is made easy, too, with the cruise line’s revolutionary Medallion technology that not only keeps people traveling together connected, but makes buying gifts in ports a snap by charging purchases back to your cabin. The cruise line’s Voyage of the Glaciers itinerary offers two glacier viewing experiences, as well as a voyage across the Gulf of Alaska to see Prince William Sound, known for its abundance of marine and coastal life. Guests can extend their Alaska cruise with three- to 10-day day pre- and post-cruise tours.
Dining Highlights on Viking Orion
Adventure seekers may find Royal Caribbean’s feature-rich ships and thrilling excursions to be the perfect fit. If you’re looking to experience the Alaskan wilderness in depth, Princess Cruises offers pioneering itineraries that take you into the heart of nature. For those seeking immersive cultural experiences, Holland America Line provides opportunities to explore Alaskan culture and history. If you’re traveling solo and seeking a more immersive and tailored experience, some cruise lines offer options specifically designed for individual explorers. These solo cruiser options provide opportunities to connect with like-minded travelers, engage in solo-friendly excursions, and enjoy onboard amenities and activities that cater to your personal preferences.
Alaska Inside Passage Cruises: Calmer Waters and Big-Ticket Destinations
Holland America Line (HAL) — which recently snapped up a 2023 World’s Best Award in the large-ship ocean cruise line category — has been cruising Alaska for over 75 years. HAL prides itself on having more permits for Glacier Bay National Park visits than any other cruise line. The cruise line also offers beloved live music programming, which I got to experience firsthand on a summer 2023 Alaska sailing. King's Blues Club, Billboard Onboard (a dueling piano bar), Lincoln Center Stage, and Rolling Stone Rock Room. After our shore excursions, we’d hop back on board the ship for drinks, dinner, and a nightcap at the dueling piano bar to jam out to hits from Billy Joel and Elton John.
Seabourn: Indulging in the Lap of Luxury Amidst Natural Wonders
They can be incredibly expensive when compared to experiences in the Caribbean or Mexico. An Alaska cruise costs anywhere from $500 to $8,000 or more during high season. Cheaper fares can be usually found on mainstream lines like Royal Caribbean and NCL, while Cunard, Disney and Seabourn will be more expensive. You're in luck if you're hoping to see whales on your Alaska cruise, as the majority of the cruise season coincides with whale season. Humpback whales can be found in the waters of the Gulf of Alaska and are some of the most frequently spotted, though you may also see orcas and gray whales as well.
Best Large Ship Cruise
If you have your heart set on visiting Glacier Bay National Park, make sure that your cruise line has it listed on the schedule. "Only seven lines were awarded the Glacier Bay contract by the National Park Service," Cicero said. If you're not sure whether the cruise you have in mind will go through Glacier Bay, double-check with the cruise line or your travel agent. Of the three Celebrity ships that sail to Alaska, we recommend the Celebrity Edge for those new to cruising or seeking a more contemporary experience. Launched in 2018, the ship features standout innovations like Eden, a multi-level bar with panoramic views, and the Magic Carpet, a multi-purpose floating space suspended directly above the sea. In Alaska, NCL offers passengers countless off-ship activities to choose from.
THE 25 BEST Cruises from Vancouver to Alaska (with Prices) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE 25 BEST Cruises from Vancouver to Alaska (with Prices) on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Thu, 18 Apr 2024 23:18:30 GMT [source]
For more on what to bring on an Alaska cruise, check out our Alaska cruise packing list. Look to UnCruise Adventures, Alaskan Dream Cruises, Hurtigruten and Lindblad Expeditions for the best adventure cruises. Weeklong itineraries generally embark in either Seattle or Vancouver, British Columbia — though some itineraries originate in Juneau. Alaska cruise weather can be chilly (in the 40s to 50s) first thing in the morning and at night. However, if it's a sunny summer day, temperatures can shoot into the 70s and even low 80s.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Alaska: Glacier Bay, Skagway & Juneau
Cruise enthusiasts at the Good Housekeeping Institute are fans of Royal Caribbean for its state-of-the-art ships, exceptional service and high-quality entertainment. "Royal Caribbean had the first rock-climbing wall and ice-skating rink on a cruise ship," said Cicero. "This line is an especially good fit for families with tweens, teens and young adults," said Cicero, who sailed on Royal Caribbean with her teen daughter. This global cruise line whisks passengers to Alaska from popular ports such as Seattle and Vancouver. You can choose a classic seven-night itinerary or a 13-night land-and-sea getaway.
Seasick Prone? Beware and Plan Carefully
Princess has been cruising to Alaska for more than half a century, and they continue to lead the industry by bringing more guests to the state than any other cruise line. In fact, they introduced a generation to the idea of cruising via the hit TV show The Love Boat, which was set on a Princess ship and featured many episodes in Alaska! There are currently day cruises being offered with the company through next year. These sailing are on the ships Sapphire Princess, Majestic Princess, and Royal Princess. The last two are Royal-class vessels that I really love sailing on, and are perfect for an Alaskan sailing, although might be a bit big for some with a 3,600 passenger capacity. This cruise departs from Vancouver and stops at 11 ports including College Fjord, Hubbard Glacier, Icy Strait Point, and twice at Glacier National Bay, just to name a few.
Discovery Princess is the newest ship on our list of the most popular cruise ships in Alaska, which makes it a tough competitor in the region. We evaluated over a dozen Alaskan cruises before selecting the best in each category. We considered various elements like the cruise line’s reputation and quality of service, ship design and architecture, and notable ship amenities (e.g., swimming pools, entertainment, technology, access to nature experts, etc.). We also reviewed each ship’s cruise itinerary, dining and wellness options, and the types of experiences and excursions available to guests.
It is ideal if you hate crowds or enjoy a more intimate atmosphere where guests mingle and share tales of their shore excursions each day. With an expedition heritage that dates back to 1896, it’s no wonder Hurtigruten Expeditions found its way to Alaska. The cruise line with a keen focus on exploration, adventure and science has two of its hybrid technology ships—MS Roald Amundsen, built in 2019, and MS Fridtjof Nansen, built in 2020—sailing the waters that surround The Great Land. Each of the ships features an observation deck, library, science center, hot tub, pool and Explorer lounge, as well as a bar with floor-to-ceiling windows so you never miss a thing. An expedition team of Alaska experts join each voyage, hosting lectures about the areas the ships visit and guiding passengers on outings like nature walks through rainforests and kayaking trips around the foot of a glacier.
Princess Cruises (operating in the state for over 50 years) has an incredible train tour into the interior. Once again, Holland America is at the top of the most popular list, along with Princess Cruises. Both operate a suite of services for those wanting to explore on land, including lodges, trains, motorcoaches, and the popular Denali National Park. Partner of National Geographic, Lindblad Expeditions is the pioneer in expedition ecotourism cruises. Landscapes, water encounters and wildlife are front and center here – with little to no signal for electronic devices most of the time.
But if once-in-a-lifetime Alaska experiences like helicopter rides and flightseeing in Ketchikan are more your speed, you'll need to triple that amount -- or more. The Koningsdam boasts 912 balconied accommodations, which means 69% of the ship has rooms with a private veranda view. You’ll also find massage showerheads, magnifying mirrors, terry bathrobes, Egyptian cotton towels, Elemis luxury bath products, and fresh fruit (upon request) in your stateroom. Anglers will enjoy the cruise line’s Savor My Catch program, which brings ocean-to-table dining to a whole new level. Plus, guests can catch their own fish during shore excursions and have it prepared and served on board.
Celebrity Millenium is an older ship with the line but offers some sailings for around $400 as well and does both northbound and southbound one-way itineraries. Even though Holland America and Celebrity consider themselves to be premium cruise lines some of their older ships offer some of the lowest rates you can find. This is also one of the few cruise lines that sails out of San Francisco on two of the line’s smaller ships, Ruby Princess and Crown Princess. If you’re looking at cruises in Alaska, I hope you realize there isn’t a “bad” option. But in this article we will dive into the different cruise lines that offer cruises to Alaska and try to help you determine which cruise line is best for you.
Create an image of a majestic Alaskan cruise ship amidst the towering glaciers of Glacial Bay. Let the serene waters reflect the beauty of the surrounding mountains and encompassing blue skies. The ship should be the focal point of the image, showcasing its grandeur against the awe-inspiring backdrop. The glaciers should appear massive and imposing, yet peaceful against the calm waters. Let the cool colors of the environment highlight the ship’s warm hues and create a stunning contrast. Viking’s ships are designed to provide optimal comfort and breathtaking views, featuring spacious cabins and panoramic windows.
Discover the wonders of Alaska with the Best Cruise Line for 20 years running. Even if your cruise starts and stops in a U.S. port like Seattle, there's a high chance your ship will dock in Canada at some point throughout your trip. Also, "some of the excursions in Alaskan ports venture into Canada and will require a passport," explained Cicero. For instance, you may take the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway from Skagway into Yukon, a Canadian territory.
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